The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Air Service) Frank Purdy Lahm, United States Army Air Service, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. A balloon pilot of marked ability and scientific attainments, Colonel Lahm rendered valuable services to the American Expeditionary Forces by his untiring devotion to the innumerable problems which faced the Air Service during its organization in France. His broad experience in aeronautics played an important part in the formulation of policies of the Air Service and was reflected in its successes during the St. Mihiel offensive and subsequently in the operations of the 2d Army.